The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-09

W onO "ioOh Oh0o, hS W why WE S0OulQ
be more affected with unsoundness in
religious matters in Wisconsin than in
other States where the land is not so
rolling; and sometimes it is doubted if
this is really so, only as series of cir
cumstances have contributed unfortu-
nately to our people. have sometimes
noticed some similarity of other States
being affected in like manner. Our
New York people have generally been
considered tolerably sound, but by late
Leader" observe that they too have
a touch of it down there. Have we in
Wisconsin allowed ourselves to stag
nate for want of active exercise and
stimulating church work ? If so, let
us be up and doing. Let the world
know we live and live to love and bless
humanity.
Perhaps we have withheld our mite,
sent out with heart full of love, be-
because it was mite; but know We
that we shall be called to account for
even the small things we might do. To
him that uses his opportunities will
come the blessings. Our ministers are
not giving so much attention to work
outside their parishes, perhaps, as they
might. 1 am quite sure, not so much
as formerly; there is not so much sac
rifce. "What can you pay" is the
question. Oh, Waterman on the walls,
what was your commission "Feed
my sheep" Call in the by-places until
they know your voice and follow you.
Christ came that we might have life,
and that we might have it more abund-
antly, and he sent his disciples every
where, that the people might be aroused
to the consideration of his great truths.
o, how is it that we take so little inter
est in that which promises to be of SER
vice to the race, and neglect the calls Of
humanity, in laboring for the good of
our fellow-men? How is it that we can
behold the crushing errors Of doctrine
that bind down the energies of the souls
and bodies of our kindred, and yet re-
main Indifferent, our hearts unimpress-
ed, and we unconscious Of the spirit by
which we should be made to feel it our
duty to strive for the blessing of man
kind?
When will we as Universalists respect
ourselves in this matter as we ought.
Our faith ought to be more active,
working faith than any of the others,
and the way for US really to live our
selves, and make our faith live, and go
sounding through the ages, is to work
for that which gives life and love and
blessing We get little Aattering land
are susceptible of course), and turn in
and help other societies build their
churches; and we send our children to
their Sunday schools, and all this time
neglect to place before them our de-
nominational literature which is so cas-
lily obtained, and what can we hope for,
but that our cherished ideas will fade
from the home? This shiftless policy
of letting things go at loose ends is dis
astrous and fatal. 1t never did any
thing for the propagation of true Chris
tian principles in the world. And how
can we ever expect it to do anything.
To sit still in order to witness the sal
walton of the world from sin and error
is not only idle and mischievous, but
foolish and wicked. From such a dry
rot, good Lord deliver US.
From time to time God has been
calling upon us to assume our position
among the denominations Of the land,
and to recognize our glorious destiny,
but we have been sleeping supinely at
ease, with boundless privileges, as we
might almost claim, we have childishly
allowed them to go to waste. 1t seems
so hard for many of our people to COM
bine for any earnest, united effort, and
they stand apart from our common en-
terprises. But if we would multiply
and replenish this earth with our senti-
ments, we must foster high aims, and
large plans. We must not let those we
love go to destruction, but act in the
lofty disinterested spirit of Christ and
his apostles. "By sowing sparingly we
shall reap sparingly.o 1t is the liberal
that devise liberal things, and by lib
eral things shall they stand.
Brethren and sisters, we must wake
up and do more, and give more money,
time and influence. The period is right
upon us, 1 do believe, when we might
go in and win. We can make up our
losses in measure if we commence in
good earnest at once. But woe be to
us if we fail in this hour. A few PEN
MES given, and occasionally dollar as
we could spare it, would set us on our
feet with our cause booming financially,
''and why sit we still till we die" This
day is a day of glad tidings, land we
hold our peace" Think how we can
serve others, with the assurance that
we never do good to another, but we do
a greater good to ourselves. We must
have respect to what is beyond the cal
culations of mans selfish policy, and
then we shall find resources growing
m avarv hand LET M give az Cod has